Coinciding with the annual Asian Financial Forum (AFF), the International Financial Week (IFW) brings together a series of events addressing a host of topics facing the global financial and business communities.

Capitalising on Hong Kong’s position as a leading international financial centre and business hub, last year's IFW attracted more than 4,400 participants to take part in a total of 14 events. The IFW in 2016, starting from 14 January, will examine topical issues such as Asian private equity, fundraising, alternative investment, financial technology as well as regional trends and development.

Come enjoy this rewarding week of financial and investment intelligence, insight and networking!

List of Events

14-15 January 2016

Seventh Annual International Conference on the Chinese Economy in Hong Kong - "The Growing Influence of China in the World Economy"

The Asian Financial Forum (AFF) brings together some of the most influential members of the global financial and business community to discuss developments and trends in the dynamic markets of Asia. In 2015, over 100 internationally respected leaders in government, financial and business sectors gathered for groundbreaking discussions about opportunities and challenges facing Asia.

The eighth AFF attracted more than 2,600 participants from 39 countries and regions, about 85% of them were CEOs and senior decision makers. More than 500 journalists and media representatives attended the forum.

The next AFF, under the theme of “Asia: Shaping the New Paradigm for Growth”, will take place, 18-19 January 2016, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The topic will be on the three Asian fund passporting schemes - the ASEAN Collective Investment Scheme (CIS) Framework, Mainland-Hong Kong Mutual Recognition of Funds (MRF) and the Asia Region Funds Passport (ARFP). A panel discussion by the key regulators of these three schemes will be held, with buffet breakfast and networking opportunities for participants available at the event.

This event is intended to attract a maximum of 100 participants including key regulators, buy side, sell side and relevant market influencers, initially by invitation-only to ASIFMA Asset Management members, and then marketed to a wider audience including members of ASIFMA, AFF participants and representatives of regulators.

Time:

07:15 - 08:45

Venue:

Pool House, 11/F, Grand Hyatt (1 Harbour Road, Wanchai)

Registration Fee:

Discounted admission fee of HKD150 for members of ASIFMA, AFF participants and representatives of regulators (original price at HKD250). Refund of the admission fee will be made to attending regulators after they attend the event.

The Reflexive Relationship between Intellectual Property (IP) and Business Value

As we move into a more knowledge-driven age, the success of companies depends on their ability to successfully commercialize IP yet to do so requires an appreciation and understanding of the reflexive relationship between the value of a business and it’s IP, as one cannot succeed without the other.

You will have the unique opportunity to gain insight into this important relationship from one of the elite few who appreciates and truly understands it.

During the evening you will learn that IP is not merely a legal right but that it must be treated as an asset with a unique characteristics unlike, for example, real estate or industrial plant and machinery.

Whether confronted with a credible whistle-blower, a government subpoena or dawn raid, problematic findings from an internal investigation or potentially damaging media allegations, companies face a variety of scenarios where they need to make quick decisions on whether to disclose and cooperate with government regulators. Yet managing the inconsistent and sometimes incompatible expectations of authorities in multiple jurisdictions can make it a tricky balancing act to maximise the opportunities to gain cooperation credit, leniency and discounts.

Full, early (uninformed) confession is not always the best way, despite some expectations that it be a minimum first step. For instance, US regulator’s stated expectations to come in, voluntarily disclose and hand everything over -perhaps before you have even had an opportunity to brief and steer your own Board on the issues and risks -- is an unpalatable proposition for most organizations.

With a number of recent developments in regulator expectations around the globe, Baker & McKenzie partners will contrast elements of the DOJ Yates memo, the SFO's recent speech on DPAs, the FCA rules as well as the perspectives of Asian regulators to provide practical guidance as to the best way forward for organizations dealing with these cross-border dilemmas.

‘AIMA in ASIA’ 2016 is our regional flagship full day event and is held in Hong Kong as part of HK’s ‘International Financial Week’. Introduced in 2015, our first ‘AIMA in ASIA’ brought together nearly 300 industry leaders from around the region. Scheduled at the start of the year, our event differentiates itself by addressing the key regulatory, policy and operational focus areas anticipated for APAC managers in the coming year; this year's event features:

With a burgeoning tech cluster in Hong Kong, the convergence of world-leading financial services, tech and creative industries in London and record levels of VC investment flowing into London startups, the opportunities in London for Hong Kong startups have never been greater.

We are now inviting senior executives and investors from London and HK to discuss:

why the London tech ecosystem is the best place to scale up and globalise your business

how London became the global fintech capital and what opportunities it offers

how a large pool of international, talented innovators and entrepreneurs are driving the boom in the digital economy from London.

Gain insights from leading entrepreneurs, investors and advisers from the London and Hong Kong tech ecosystems including:

Janos Barberis, Founder, Fintech HK

Claire Cockerton, London Tech Ambassador, Founder, CEO and Chairwoman of ENTIQ, Founder and Ambassador of Innovate Finance and Co-Creator, Strategic Adviser and Ambassador to Level39

Differences of Property Development Financing between Mainland China and Hong Kong

Objectives:

Owing to recent PRC Central Government’s tight control over financing to the real property development and the high-speed real estate development in Mainland China, the real property development financing in Mainland China is required to be structured in compliance with a number of critical regulations and laws and may come across a number of practicable issues relating to the security and operation risks.

Upon the completion of this program, participants are expected to learn how to structure the real property development financing in Mainland China and identify the differences of security and operation risks in comparison with real property financing in Hong Kong and provide a quick guide to the key considerations in some common financing structures involving real property development financing between Mainland China and Hong Kong.